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705 reviews by:
tamaraepps
Notes from Underground
J.B. Chicoine, Matt Zandstra, Loren Eaton, Anne Gallagher, Judy Croome, Michelle Davidson Argyle, R. Mac Wheeler, Susannah E. Pabot, Anne R. Allen, Candace A. Ganger, Cee Martinez, B.A. McMillan, Nevine Sultan, Lavanya Krishnan, Lisa M. Shafer, Beth Overmyer, Yvonne Osborn, Summer Ross, Taryn Tyler, C.N. Nevets, Jean Michelle Miernik, Erin Leigh Harty, Rachel Becker, Aerin Bender-Stone, Simon C. Larter
What’s It About?
John is living a mediocre life when suddenly the world changes around him and no one else notices, except him. John is forced to reconsider how the world works when changes continue to happen, and many of them seem to be focused on him. He doesn’t know if it’s him causing the changes or someone else changing his life, but soon that is put out of his head as he is forced to fight for his life against a mysterious organisation whose goal is to eradicate anyone who might be causing shifts in the world.
My Thoughts:
The premise of this book sounded really interesting to me so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, the idea behind the book is the only positive thing I can say about it.
The characters weren’t well-formed and I didn’t really feel a connection to any of them, which meant I didn’t really care about the outcome. They were just pawns moving the story along rather than people I wanted to survive and win. I felt they definitely needed some... read the rest of the review at http://captivatedbybooks.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/review-shifter-by-steven-d-jackson/
[Disclaimer: I was given a free digital copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
John is living a mediocre life when suddenly the world changes around him and no one else notices, except him. John is forced to reconsider how the world works when changes continue to happen, and many of them seem to be focused on him. He doesn’t know if it’s him causing the changes or someone else changing his life, but soon that is put out of his head as he is forced to fight for his life against a mysterious organisation whose goal is to eradicate anyone who might be causing shifts in the world.
My Thoughts:
The premise of this book sounded really interesting to me so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, the idea behind the book is the only positive thing I can say about it.
The characters weren’t well-formed and I didn’t really feel a connection to any of them, which meant I didn’t really care about the outcome. They were just pawns moving the story along rather than people I wanted to survive and win. I felt they definitely needed some... read the rest of the review at http://captivatedbybooks.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/review-shifter-by-steven-d-jackson/
[Disclaimer: I was given a free digital copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
This review is cross-posted at Captivated by Books
When I picked it up, this seemed like a typical story of how the war forced couples and families apart, but now I am not so sure. While the back cover implies that it is only the war that causes problems, there is another event that overshadows it. I think the author would have done better by choosing one event or the other to explore, as this book wasn’t long enough to fully give the effects of each event.
There are many events (some linked to the war, others that aren’t) that change who Kathie and Dennis are, and therefore have an effect on their relationship. However, for me, I found it difficult believing in their relationship before they had to deal with war and tragedy. I felt frustrated as, while the characters seemed to think they were the opposite sides of the same coin, it was clear from their actions, thoughts and words that they didn’t truly love each other (in my opinion). Lacking this fundamental relationship, I found it difficult to care what happened to it, which is what the entire story is based around.
Despite this, I did find I enjoyed seeing how events and other people can change a person. This book is filled with various loving relationships, all around the theme of family, and that is what I liked about the story. I do feel that due to the number of characters, not all relationships or characters are properly explored, and I have been left with the feeling that everything seemed to end up a little too conveniently for my taste. The ending doesn’t quite seem to fit the nature of change that is followed throughout the story, though admittedly it is hinted at.
While this book was a fairly quick and relaxing read, I felt that for its genre it was unable to stir deep emotions within me that would have allowed me to appreciate the awfulness of the tragedies. Therefore I can’t recommend it when there are so many amazing books out there that you could be reading. However, this story would probably suit someone who is interested in the home war effort (though this isn’t explored that thoroughly), or wishes to explore the idea of family and what it means.
Overall rating: 2.5/5
When I picked it up, this seemed like a typical story of how the war forced couples and families apart, but now I am not so sure. While the back cover implies that it is only the war that causes problems, there is another event that overshadows it. I think the author would have done better by choosing one event or the other to explore, as this book wasn’t long enough to fully give the effects of each event.
There are many events (some linked to the war, others that aren’t) that change who Kathie and Dennis are, and therefore have an effect on their relationship. However, for me, I found it difficult believing in their relationship before they had to deal with war and tragedy. I felt frustrated as, while the characters seemed to think they were the opposite sides of the same coin, it was clear from their actions, thoughts and words that they didn’t truly love each other (in my opinion). Lacking this fundamental relationship, I found it difficult to care what happened to it, which is what the entire story is based around.
Despite this, I did find I enjoyed seeing how events and other people can change a person. This book is filled with various loving relationships, all around the theme of family, and that is what I liked about the story. I do feel that due to the number of characters, not all relationships or characters are properly explored, and I have been left with the feeling that everything seemed to end up a little too conveniently for my taste. The ending doesn’t quite seem to fit the nature of change that is followed throughout the story, though admittedly it is hinted at.
While this book was a fairly quick and relaxing read, I felt that for its genre it was unable to stir deep emotions within me that would have allowed me to appreciate the awfulness of the tragedies. Therefore I can’t recommend it when there are so many amazing books out there that you could be reading. However, this story would probably suit someone who is interested in the home war effort (though this isn’t explored that thoroughly), or wishes to explore the idea of family and what it means.
Overall rating: 2.5/5
